Jacob Zuma Arms Deal Corruption Trial

Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s long-running arms deal corruption trial is back in the spotlight, with a key appeal hearing set to kick off on 4 December 2025 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Justice Chili, will preside over the two-day session, focusing on Zuma and French arms company Thales’ bids for leave to appeal a June 2025 ruling that rejected their attempts to halt the prosecution. At the same time, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is countering with its own application to push the trial forward, even as appeals hang in the balance. The Jacob G Zuma Foundation issued a media alert on 3 December 2025, highlighting the resumption after a six-month break and noting that both sides are opposing each other’s moves. This latest chapter underscores the ongoing saga of delays in one of South Africa’s most high-profile corruption cases, raising questions about justice, accountability, and the cost to taxpayers.
As Zuma, now 83, continues to fight the charges through what prosecutors call “Stalingrad tactics”—a strategy of endless legal challenges to stall proceedings—the case has dragged on for nearly two decades. With no witnesses yet called despite the trial being declared ready in 2021, public frustration grows over the slow pace. Legal experts warn that further appeals could push the actual trial well into 2026 or beyond, testing the limits of South Africa’s judicial system.
Background to the Arms Deal Scandal and Zuma’s Charges
The roots of the case trace back to the late 1990s, when South Africa embarked on a multibillion-rand arms procurement programme to modernise its military with ships, planes, helicopters, and other equipment. Zuma, who was deputy president at the time, is accused of receiving bribes through his financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, to influence the deal in favour of French company Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF). Shaik was convicted in 2005 for facilitating over R1 million in payments to Zuma, including an alleged R500,000 annual bribe from Thales to shield the firm from investigations into the arms deal.
Zuma faces charges of fraud, corruption, racketeering, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he accepted these benefits in exchange for political protection and influence. The case has been a symbol of post-apartheid corruption allegations, with the arms deal overall plagued by claims of kickbacks and irregularities involving multiple players.
The legal journey has been tumultuous. Zuma was first charged in 2005, but the case was struck off the roll in 2006 due to the NPA’s unreadiness. It was reinstated in 2007, only to be withdrawn in 2009—just before Zuma became president—citing leaked “spy tapes” that suggested political interference in the timing of the charges. The Democratic Alliance (DA) challenged this decision, leading to a 2016 Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that declared the withdrawal irrational. Charges were reinstated in 2018 after Zuma’s resignation as president amid separate scandals.
Despite multiple court appearances, the trial has faced repeated postponements, often due to Zuma’s applications to remove lead prosecutor Billy Downer, claims of bias, and health issues. In 2021, Zuma was jailed for contempt of court related to the State Capture Commission but released on medical parole, adding layers to his legal battles.
June 2025 Ruling and the Current Appeals
The upcoming hearing stems directly from a pivotal judgment in June 2025. The Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed Zuma and Thales’ applications for a permanent stay of prosecution and acquittal. Zuma had argued that the delays violated his right to a fair trial, while Thales cited the deaths of two key witnesses and excessive postponements as grounds for dismissal. Judge Nkosinathi Chili ruled against them, finding no merit in their claims and paving the way for the trial to proceed.
Now, both Zuma and Thales are seeking leave to appeal that decision, aiming to take the matter to higher courts like the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Their applications focus on overturning the June ruling to effectively end the prosecution. The Zuma Foundation’s media alert notes: “The matter has been scheduled for two days to hear Thales and President Zuma’s applications for leave to appeal the judgment delivered in June regarding their bid to halt the prosecution, as well as a separate application by the NPA seeking to proceed with the trial despite the pending appeals.”
Zuma has lost six prior bids to remove Downer, including rejections by the Pietermaritzburg High Court in October 2021, the SCA, and further rulings in April and June 2025. He is still appealing Downer’s involvement to the SCA, which could cause more hold-ups.
NPA’s Bid to Fast-Track the Trial
In a bold counter-move, the NPA lodged an urgent application in October 2025 to force the trial ahead, regardless of ongoing appeals. Prosecutors argue that Zuma’s tactics have caused unreasonable delays, harming the public’s right to justice. They point out that Zuma can still appeal any conviction after the trial, preserving his fair trial rights. “The delays are not attributable to the state but to the accused’s strategy to avoid trial,” the NPA has stated in court papers.
Lead prosecutor Billy Downer, who has been on the case for nearly 20 years, has denied bias allegations. He previously advised the NPA to proceed despite reviews, but that guidance was not followed. The NPA now seeks a court declaration that the trial must advance, potentially setting a precedent against mid-stream appeals in long-delayed cases.
Originally slated for April to September 2025, the trial was postponed following the June ruling, leading to the pre-trial conference now scheduled for 4 and 5 December 2025. If the NPA succeeds, witnesses could finally take the stand soon after.
Broader Implications and Taxpayer Costs
This case has cost South African taxpayers dearly. Until 2018, the state funded Zuma’s defence to the tune of over R28.9 million. In October 2025, he was ordered to repay R9 million of that, but his team has vowed not to comply, even if it means garnishing his pension. A separate hearing on 2 December 2025 saw judgment reserved in Zuma’s bid to appeal a ruling ordering him to repay nearly R29 million in legal fees for corruption-related battles.
The DA and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have successfully challenged state funding for Zuma’s private prosecutions, including a dismissed case against Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan for allegedly leaking medical records. Legal analysts describe Zuma’s approach as a “Stalingrad strategy,” inspired by the prolonged WWII battle, using every legal avenue to delay accountability.

🔴Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 119 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Jacob Zuma Welcomes Tony Yengeni to MK Party as Second Deputy President in Major Leadership Shake-Up🔴

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

Jacob Zuma

Jacob Zuma Arms Deal Corruption Trial: Appeal Hearing Resumes on December 4 Amid NPA Push to Proceed Despite Delays

Jacob Zuma Arms Deal Corruption Trial

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

South African Reserve Bank Announces Jibar Cessation by End of 2026, Ushering in ZARONIA Era for Financial Markets

Related Articles

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply